A mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Jesus uses this metaphor of his kingdom with great effect. By God's design, that mustard seed of faith has been planted in our hearts and his kingdom, his rule will develop and be nurtured reaping a harvest greater than we can ever imagine. This weekend we who are graced with the name "father" will surely gain a place in heaven, provided we nurture that seed of faith. To me the most powerful image of God as father comes from the Hebrew Scriptures in the Book of Hosea. God stoops down to a child, tousles his hair and hugs him. I am reminded we do not have to strain ourselves to get to God. Indeed, the Almighty comes to us, stoops, tousles our hair and loves us.
So, what truly constitutes a loving father? We want our fathers to be there for us, caring, compassionate and loving. The isolated, distant breadwinner is an anomaly of the past. The modern expectation is good; though, difficult and demanding; but, the rewards are manifold. Too often, we men, allow the stress, cares and anxieties of making a living consume us. The image of an angry father is not that of our loving God who wants to play with us and to enjoy our company when we aren't so busy with our concerns. The Creator literally lifts us up when we are down. He gently throws us up in the air. We laugh wonderfully because we know we will be caught in His gentle hands. He loves us.
In our Christian churches this weekend, we will be reminded of this mustard seed. When these tiny seeds of genuine love are planted in loving fathers; we as children can conquer the world. A Dad is not overly possessive nor protective. He is not afraid to see his child grow up. He imitates the example of the Creator by being kind and considerate; firm, but, never rigid. The greatest joy of any man is that his child never has to ask for love; never has to seek a definition of what father means. I recommend Hosea's image of a loving father.
For those with loving memories of their fathers, be gracious and honored. For those young fathers today, look to the example of Joseph, whose silent and enduring testimony teaches us about prayer and perseverance. We're told Joseph had his doubts about Mary's conception. Soon after in a dream, he recants his position. He never doubted Mary again. We've few words of Joseph. Nonetheless, we do know what he did. Perhaps this is what the writers wanted us to know. Never was there a man in history who lived his faith and trust in God not only on the strength of his character; but, on a dream. I believe these are powerful lessons we can learn on Father's day. "... yet, once the seed of faith and trust is sown ... it can grow and blossom into the biggest shrub of all putting our branches of love, care, concern so that many can find shelter, comfort, consolation in the beauty of its shade. ..."
In our Catholic faith the words of a child's baptism also resonate: "May God bless the father of this child. He and his wife will be the first teachers of their child in the ways of faith. May they be the best teachers, bearing witness to the faith they profess by what they say and do ..." Happy Father's day to all.
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